The term "modern" can encompass a multitude of interpretations, and similarly, so can the concept of a living room. In the contemporary era, open-floor plans have replaced the smaller, distinct rooms of the past, now accommodating versatile living rooms that serve numerous functions. In these spaces, you can read your books, watch your Netflix, enjoy your meals, and entertain your guests—it's where life happens. Designing such spaces in tune with modern living necessitates a multifaceted approach.
Admittedly, a living room and the modern aesthetic might not seem like a natural pairing. As Cochineal Design's principal and co-founder, Sarah Sargeant, points out, the mere mention of a modern living room might conjure images of a "sterile, austere, and one-dimensional" space. However, the reality is quite different. Modern living rooms adeptly bridge the gap between welcoming and well-appointed spaces. "Modernity brings a streamlined tone that harmonizes historic forms with a fresh sensibility," explains New York-based designer Augusta Hoffman.
Indeed, the modern look can encompass everything from minimalism to midcentury charm, from suave sophistication to understated neutrality, and from chrome accents to concrete structures. But where does one begin in the quest to find their own version of modern? Hoffman suggests, "I believe that the most successful modern spaces discover beauty in practicality while incorporating rich materials to soften minimalism." Sargeant echoes this sentiment, stating, "For us, modern implies achieving lifestyle requirements while leaning towards minimalism.
BOLD SILHOUETTES
Modern designss need not to be confined to right angles alone. In a sitting area of a California retreat designed by Noz Nozawa, the room's asymmetry is accentuated by a Casey McCafferty cocktail table that appears to be infused with life. The curvaceous rug underneath, by François Dumas, further invigorates the room, both in terms of tone and texture, creating an informal yet refined living space.
DISCOVERING INDUSTRIAL INTEREST
Modernity transcends specific time periods—it's characterized by innovation. In a Connecticut beach house, designers Amanda Jesse and Whitney Parris-Lamb delved into the industrial revolution to define their version of modernity. The presence of metal and concrete, along with the room's brightness, allows muted earthy tones to take center stage in the furnishings. This environment provides a perfect opportunity to collaborate with craftsmen like Jacob May (who designed the dining table on the left) or Palo Samko (responsible for the dining chairs).
EMBRACING MIDCENTURY MODERN ROMANCE
In modern homes, not every space is dedicated to a single, distinct function. At times, you might have to choose between a dining area or a living room, especially in limited spaces. When space is at a premium, create miniature modern living rooms in underutilized corners, as Augusta Hoffman did in her elegant New York City apartment.
EXPERIMENTING WITH BOLD TONES AND GRAPHIC PRINTS
Much like a grayscale palette can evoke silent films of the past, bold colors and graphic prints can firmly ground you in the present. In a Manhattan townhouse's living room, designer Danielle Colding introduced a royal blue biomorphic sofa and graphic upholstered armchairs to banish any notions of old-fashioned decor.
WHERE THE OLD MEETS THE NEW
A single striking element of modernity can set your room on a forward-moving path. In the living room of a West Hollywood pied-à-terre, Andre Herrero of Charlap Hyman & Herrero designed a steel double-height fireplace with a hidden compartment for the client's TV. The material evokes images of spaceships and factories—symbols of the modern era. Contemporary art, such as the eyeball-shaped sculpture by Olivia Erlanger hanging opposite the fireplace, contributes to the room's fresh aesthetic. In this setting, even choice antiques can find their place when thoughtfully balanced with contemporary elements.
CREATING A TREASURE-FILLED LIVING ROOM
Creating a welcoming and inviting atmosphere in a sleek living room is attainable through thoughtful accessorizing. In a Brooklyn townhouse, Ishka Designs achieved charm through intriguing ceramics and captivating artwork. The result is a living room that strikes the perfect
balance between luxury and comfort.
EXPERIMENTING WITH SHAPE-SHIFTING LIVING ROOMs
Move over, boxy armchairs and rectangular sofas—furniture with unconventional silhouettes is a certain way to add visual interest to your living room. The design duo at Ashe Leandro elevated a Park Avenue residence with a curvaceous lounge chair from Move Mountains and a custom-made, bulbous sofa upholstered in Rose Uniacke wool.
CREATING A HEIGHT-DEFYING LIVING ROOM
As evidenced by James Williams and Jonno Burden's living room, the only way to go is up. The duo adorned their 30-foot-tall ceiling with two clusters of custom light pendants, directing the gaze upward and producing an airy, well-lit ambiance.
EMBRACING THE MIRROR MARVEL LIVING ROOM
If you want to decorate bare walls but feel that traditional artwork is overused, consider adorning your space with decorative mirrors, just as Jacques Grange did in this Portuguese residence. Not only does this arrangement add character to the spacious room, but it also enhances the distribution of light.
TEXTURE-RICH LIVING ROOM
Repeat after us: a neutral-tinged living room can be far from boring. In this relaxed space by Cochineal Design, a rich array of light wood, cream bouclé upholstery, and high-contrast art provides a nuanced take on the minimalist palette.
EMBRACING PLAID-PEPPERED LIVING ROOMS
If you're looking to revamp a neutral color scheme, introducing patterns can be a game-changer. In a downtown New York City home, a sea of browns, creams, and blacks is
invigorated by a set of vintage chairs featuring a Sandra Jordan alpaca plaid.
OPTING FOR HIP AND HANGING LIVING ROOM
Elevate the phrase "sitting pretty" to a whole new level—literally—by incorporating a swinging seat. Design firm Workshop/APD maximized this family residence's potential by juxtaposing a hanging chair from Juniper Home and a low-slung, double-sided sofa, making the living room even more luminous and spacious.
EMBRACING REPETITION IN YOUR LIVING ROOM
Why settle for just one cocktail table and one sofa when you can have a few? The inclusion of multiple furniture pieces in this Manhattan apartment creates an upscale, gallery-like
atmosphere while maintaining practicality for you and your guests.
INFUSING YOUR LIVING ROOM WITH A RAY OF SUNSHINE
Devotees of maximalist aesthetics will find the ideal compromise in this cheerful Hamptons residence. Here, a neutral backdrop is enlivened by the addition of vibrant yellow accents and a colorful painting by Kenneth Noland. Designer Alec Holland's vision was to create a space suitable for solitary relaxation, family game nights, or lively cocktail parties.
EXPERIMENTING WITH MONOCHROMATIC LIVING ROOMS
If you're in search of a bold yet pared-back color scheme and neutrals aren't quite cutting it, try reimagining your living room with a more striking hue. Director Mara Brock Akil's Los Angeles home serves as an excellent example. Featuring a Vladimir Kagan sofa, an Art Deco rug, and paint sourced from Portola Paints, this West Coast room is viewed through "rosé-colored glasses."
CREATING A PARTY-READY LIVING ROOM
Elevate your status as the ultimate host by adding a wet bar to your living room that's both functional and visually stunning. In a 1957 Pacific Palisades home, Studio Shamshiri incorporated a lively splash of colors with technicolor tiles in the bar area.
INFUSING HARD AND SOFT ELEMENTS INTO YOUR LIVING ROOM
If your modern living room seems a bit too stark, consider adding a plush area rug to soften its appearance. A wool and silk rug by Jan Kath offers a welcoming contrast to the room's industrial features in this living space designed by Raëd Abillama.
HAUTE HEARTH IN YOUR LIVING ROOM
Often, the most practical elements of a living room can also become the most visually intriguing. In this Woodstock home, White Webb transformed the fireplace into a centerpiece by covering the hearth and the surrounding ceiling with shou sugi ban cypress. Angular furniture pieces layered with tactile textiles give the rustic fireplace a contemporary edge.
CREATING A COMMUNITY-CENTRIC LIVING ROOM
Whether you're having a relaxing night with family or inviting your friends over, community is at the heart of every living room. Architect Christina Seilern has thoughtfully added a built-in bench, complete with upholstery and pillows by Kalyvianakis Dimitrios, in this Greek living room. The indoor-outdoor design allows you to unwind, relax, and enjoy the stunning landscape.
INTRODUCING OVERSIZE ART TO YOUR LIVING ROOM
To avoid the sterility of plain white walls, enliven your living room's perimeter with oversized art, as seen in this Bridgehampton, New York, residence. The large artwork hanging above the low-slung sectional imparts a layered, lived-in feel to the room, with its abstract shapes adding a touch of modernity.
REATING RELAXED LIVING ROOMS
One of the best aspects of contemporary living rooms is their ability to be relaxed and approachable. In this Upper East Side apartment, designer Augusta Hoffman chose a pair of Blasco Clichy swivel chairs to introduce an element of casualness that her client, a younger person who enjoys hosting movie nights and gatherings, was looking for. The result is an inviting and less formal living room.
DEVELOPING DEPTH-DEFYING MILAN LIVING ROOMS
Milanese architect and designer Hannes Peer elevated the design of this Italian living room, drawing inspiration from the Alps. Low-slung furniture, including a brown leather couch from B&B Italia and a vintage daybed, effectively balances the room's high, slatted wood accents.
MAXIMIZING THE MAXIMALIST APPEAL OF CHICAGO LIVING ROOMS
Fans of the more-is-more aesthetic will find plenty to love in this vibrant prewar apartment in Chicago. Designer Summer Thornton embraced boldness with jewel-toned seating, a pair of pendants from Urban Electric Co., and whimsical wall coverings by de Gournay.
EXPERIMENTING WITH MOODY NEW YORK LIVING ROOMS
This Upper West Side apartment single-handedly proves that darker colors can be equally attractive. Designer Kevin Dumais created a space that strikes a balance between sophistication and coziness, thanks to an abundance of textures. Suede wallpaper by Holly Hunt, a custom ottoman, and a Daniel Wenger lounge chair provide tactile richness to the room.
ADDING FUN ELEMENTS TO FRENCH LIVING ROOMS
For those in need of some well-placed pops of color, take inspiration from lighting designer Marie-Lise Féry's French home. Swathed in Farrow & Ball's Blue Gray, this room features a velvet Christophe Delcourt sectional and a candy-colored Magic Circus Éditions lamp, offering a mature interpretation of a rainbow palette.
ENSURING YOUR LIVING ROOM HAS PLENTY OF SEATING
This Hollywood Hills living room, designed by Nickey Kehoe for Suzanne Goin, exemplifies that there's no such thing as too much seating. The Spanish-style space, with its original Douglas fir-beamed ceiling, is filled with an assortment of sofas and armchairs, all thoughtfully selected by the designers.
EMBRACING PATTERN-PACKED PALM BEACH LIVING ROOMS
Unleash your bold side with strategically placed patterns. In this Palm Beach villa, Mark D. Sikes transformed the living room into a whimsical retreat by using a captivating array of prints. With a consistent blue-and-white color scheme, the room is captivating rather than overwhelming.
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